Where is Phoenix Located on a Map?

Downtown Phoenix Arizona at sunset
© iStock.com/gillcouto

Written by Kyle Glatz

Updated: August 13, 2023

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Arizona is a place where people can experience abundant sunshine and warmth throughout the year. Although the temperatures reach triple digits throughout the summer months, the rest of the year has warm, reasonable temperatures that make this region a popular place in which to live. Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and one of the most populated cities in the country. Where is Phoenix located on a map, though? Find out where the city is in Arizona, what people get out of living in this area, and what suburbs are best near the city.  

Where is Phoenix Located?

The city of Phoenix, Arizona is in the south-central area of the state. Phoenix lies within Maricopa County, Arizona, and it was first incorporated in 1881. Over 1.6 million people live in the city, and the total metropolitan area contains 4.6 million people. The metropolitan area sprawls for about 520 square miles with several large suburbs.

Interestingly, this city has a very low population density for being a major city, with just 3,100 people per square mile. That is far less than a city like Philadelphia, the next-largest city in the country. That city has 11,936 people per square mile and a population of 1.6 million people.

The Gila River Indian Community lies to the south of the city. Farther southeast, along Interstate 10, is the city of Tucson. Meanwhile, Flagstaff lies to the northeast of Phoenix, and it’s possible to travel between the two cities by using Interstate 17.

Having identified the location of the city, it’s time to start looking at the points of interest within the city.  

Points of Interest on the Phoenix Map

Phoenix has several unique and interesting places to visit within its borders. Consider some of the points of interest on the map and see what residents and visitors love the most about this city!

Heard Museum

Heard Museum Arizona

The Heard Museum is one of the best museums for Native American art in the world.

©Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0 – Original / License

The Heard Museum is a world-class, private museum that presents Native American art. The museum opened in 1929, but it was not always the impressive collection of work it is today. Instead, the museum experienced several periods of intense growth throughout its run. Today, the museum has tens of thousands of pieces of art including:

  • Jewelry
  • Textiles
  • Pottery
  • Woodcuts
  • Pictures
  • Drawings

The museum features work from many indigenous peoples from the American Southwest. Best of all, the museum is right in the Midtown district of Phoenix, so it is easy to get to the museum.

Numerous Sports Venues

Arizona has many professional sports teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Coyotes, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Arizona Cardinals. Each of these teams needs a place to play. They’re all located in Phoenix or just on the outskirts of one of the many suburbs of the city.

That is one of the primary reasons that people ask, where is Phoenix located on a map? That way, they know where to go when traveling to the city to watch their team take on one of the home teams. Best of all, the baseball stadium has a retractable roof for those hot summer days.

Desert Botanical Garden

Although it is tempting to think that few plants grow in Arizona, that is not the case, Instead, plants that thrive in high heat and relatively little precipitation live throughout the city and beyond.

People that want to explore a collection of these plants in a single place go to the Desert Botanical Garden. At this garden, people can see native plants in Arizona which people have collected and cared for to educate people in the state.

The Desert Botanical Garden is much more than a garden, though. The location has all sorts of amazing events that highlight different aspects of the plants from the Sonoran Desert.

Hiking on Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain

Few major cities have such an easily accessible mountain to climb as Phoenix.

©iStock.com/Jeremy Janus

Few major cities have such an easily accessible mountain to climb as Phoenix. Camelback Mountain is located in eastern Phoenix. This area provides visitors with the opportunity to get away from the busy city, hike the mountain trail, and see native wildlife. Once you’ve conquered the trail, you can head right back into the city for some refreshments.  

Best Suburbs Around Phoenix

Scottsdale Arizona Waterfront Canal Scene

Scottsdale is a popular suburb near Phoenix.

©GoodFocused/Shutterstock.com

Looking at where Phoenix is located on a map, it is easy to see that the main city blends right into large suburbs. Although the overall density of the city is low, people still live outside of Phoenix. Consider the following best suburbs around Phoenix and see why they are so popular.

Mesa

Mesa is a popular destination for people that want to experience lower home prices than those in the city. Also, the suburb still has everything a person could want near them without as much population density as Phoenix. While it is a city, Mesa is not an especially dense one. It is a place with a lot to do, some very good schools, and easy access to Phoenix.

Scottsdale

Scottsdale is another city suburb of Phoenix. The city is known for its great job market, good school systems, great weather, and low crime. Scottsdale is particularly good for people that enjoy golfing, a rich nightlife, and outdoor recreation.

Paradise Valley

Aerial view from above a scenic golf course in Paradise Valley, Arizona looking to the northeast at Mummy Mountain and the McDowell Mountains in the distance

Paradise Valley offers its residents several golf courses to choose from.

©Tim Roberts Photography/Shutterstock.com

Paradise Valley is one of the more affluent suburbs of Phoenix. The cost of living is high in the area, but so is the quality of life. With a small population, Paradise Valley feels like a large community. As such, the suburb has a great number of different festivals that bring the residents together. People that live in the area have access to great schools, amazing shopping opportunities, and gorgeous homes.

These are just a few of the best suburbs near Phoenix. Each of them provides different benefits to those that visit or live in them.

Knowing where Phoenix is located on a map can help people get a sense of the best places to live and visit in the state. Arizona has much to offer in terms of entertainment, culture, and even geography. The state has incredibly hot summers, but it is also warm throughout the year. Places like Phoenix are large and have a high population. However, this city and others are spread out over a large area, so they are not nearly as dense as others.


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About the Author

Kyle Glatz is a writer at A-Z-Animals where his primary focus is on geography and mammals. Kyle has been writing for researching and writing about animals and numerous other topics for 10 years, and he holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Education from Rowan University. A resident of New Jersey, Kyle enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games.

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